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Rural Council Established by Obama Executive Order

White House council targets rural growth opportunities, short rural representation.

Jun 10, 2011

On Thursday, the Obama Administration announced creation of a White House Rural Council to address rural economic potentials as well as challenges. In his executive order, President Obama said it was established "to make sure we're working across government to strengthen rural communities and promote economic growth."

"Across government" are key words. While the council will be chaired by USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, it includes the heads of 26 Executive Branch departments, agencies, and offices. Vilsack is the only one representing rural America.

The first goal of its mission is to make recommendations to the directors of the Domestic Policy Council and the National Economic Council. Those recommendations are to focus on streamlining and leveraging federal investments in rural areas and creating economic opportunities to improve quality of life in rural America.

The council would make recommendations for investments in rural areas and coordinate programs across government to encourage public-private partnerships with ag organizations, small businesses, and state, local and tribal governments. Rural America has enormous opportunity and "makes significant contributions to the security, prosperity, and economic strength of our country," says Vilsack.